The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant James F. Andrews, III (MCSN: 0-902684), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE (HMM-265), Marine Aircraft Group Thirty-Six, First Marine Aircraft Wing in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the afternoon of 13 March 1969. First Lieutenant Andrews launched as Section Leader in a flight of two CH-46 transport helicopters assigned the emergency medial evacuation of three seriously wounded Marines from Landing Zone Sierra in Quang Tri Province. Arriving over the designated area, he learned that the Marines were under intense grenade, rocket, and mortar fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force which had seized one half of the hilltop position, forcing the casualties to be moved down the slope of the hill to a small clearing surrounded by 100 foot high trees. Skillfully maneuvering to hover over the injured men, he boldly maintained a hover in his dangerously exposed position during the fifteen minutes required to hoist the casualties, whose number had risen to four, into the helicopter. Upon arriving at Vandegrift Combat Base, he disembarked his patients and awaited for the weather to clear to extract other casualties. Late in the afternoon, he was informed that six additional casualties at Landing Zone Sierra required immediate medical evacuation if they were to survive. Resolutely returning to the hazardous area, First Lieutenant Andrews, undaunted by enemy sniper fire, the lack of supporting gunships, approaching darkness, and a cloud cover which obscured the mountain position which was not entirely in Marine hands, maneuvered to a hover below the hilltop. Skillfully executing a cautious ascent along the slope of the hill and into the cloud cover, he backed into the pick-up site with one wheel and the ramp touching the ground. Ignoring the intense hostile small arms and automatic weapons fire directed against his CH-46 and the enemy rocket and mortar rounds which bracketed his aircraft, he fearlessly remained in his perilous position until the injured men were embarked before departing the dangerous area for an off-shore hospital ship. By his courage, superior airmanship and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger, First Lieutenant Andrews was instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow Marines and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.